“We’re through, Louis.” Those were the last words Shayna had said to them before walking away. That was more than three months ago.

Sorrow wondered why it was so easy for Shayna. After almost two years in a happy relationship, how could she walk away so easily? He wished he could see the emotes inside of her mind. Maybe they would know how to fix this.

Sorrow was at the front almost constantly. He woke the body up and coaxed it to sleep. It was alright for the first couple of weeks, but he was really starting to get tired of being the default emote.

When Sorrow wasn’t there, Rage took his place. When Rage fronted, the body would lash out, cursing at family members, slamming doors and ripping pictures of Shayna into pieces. But whenever Rage was finished with the body, Sorrow was immediately called back.

Fright and Shock laid fairly dormant after about a week after Shayna left. Sorrow was fronted too often these days for either of them to notice normal triggers. It was getting dangerous, for the body no longer cared to look both ways before crossing the street or watch the speed limit while driving to work.

Revulsion fronted only while eating, if the body even decided to eat anything. All of its favorite foods and drinks made it sick to the stomach, giving Sorrow a quick break. But Revulsion never lasted very long, and he was quickly pushed back, bringing Sorrow to the front once again.

But by far, the most heavily effected emote was Joy. He hadn’t fronted once since Shayna left. His normal golden glow faded to grey and his cheery attitude became dull and glum. Sorrow wished he would come back, because he was good for the body.

Without Joy, the body was wasting away. It wouldn’t eat, hardly slept, and pushed loved ones away, leaving it isolated and alone. It wouldn’t survive much longer without Joy. None of the emotes could survive without Joy.

Sorrow grew determined. He needed to save the body and the emotes, and so he ventured to do the unthinkable. Sorrow was going to bring back Joy.

**

Sorrow heard the doorknob twist and turned the body’s head towards the sound. As the door opened, Sorrow saw a pair of big emerald eyes staring up at him. It was their sister. “Good morning, Ruby” Sorrow said, his voice quivering. He did everything he could to hold back the body’s tears, to act cheery, but even the young body could tell that Sorrow was speaking.

Ruby opened the door more fully and stepped into the room, those eyes still looking up at Sorrow. Then, she smiled. “Bubba!” She said, her missing front teeth showing as she smiled wider.

That’s what did it. Joy hurdled to the front, and joined hands with Sorrow. His golden glow began to shine. It was dim, but shining nonetheless.

Sorrow and Joy, together, reached out and hugged their little sister. The body cried and smiled and cried some more, holding the little body as it rocked from side to side.

Joy was back. And though the body still needed to heal, in that moment, the emotes knew that things would be alright again.